NEWS
Champs Elysees earns first North American win
Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2008 8:43 PM
by Jeff Apel
French Group 3 winner Champs Elysees (GB) rallied four wide approaching the stretch and gamely posted a 1 1/4-length win in the $150,000 San Marcos Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park to earn his first North American victory.
The 2-to-5 favorite in a field of six older horses, Champs Elysees chased the pace in fifth through a half-mile in :49.70, and trailed through one mile in 1:37.33. Angled out near the quarter pole by Garrett Gomez, Champs Elysees unleashed an authoritative late charge and halted a five-race winless stretch.
“I thought he ran well,” trainer Bobby Frankel said. “The pace was slow and he had to come five or six wide, but he finished good.”
Ramazutti set a pressured pace on the inside in the 1 1/4-mile race and led by a half-length through six furlongs in 1:13.79. Champs Elysees was positioned two wide at the start and moved up to third in early stretch, less than a half-length behind leader Niagara Causeway.
Gaining command on the outside, Champs Elysees kicked clear in the closing strides and won in 2:00.88 on turf rated as firm.
“When he got to his right lead, he just went on with it,” Gomez said. “He’s a true professional.”
Rocket Legs finished second, a head in front of Grade 2 winner Obrigado (Fr).
A Juddmonte Farms homebred, Champs Elysees entered off a runner-up finish in his North American debut and first start for Frankel in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G1) on December 8. Previously trained by Andre Fabre, the Danehill horse opened his 2007 season by winning the Prix d’Hedouville (Fr-G3), and finished second in last season’s Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-G1) and Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Fr-G2).
Champs Elysees earned his third win in 13 starts and increased his earnings to $400,647. A full brother to 2005 champion turf female and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) winner Intercontinental (GB), 2001 champion turf female Banks Hill (GB), European highweight and sire Dansili (GB), and multiple Grade 1 winner Cacique (Ire), Champs Elysees is out of 2006 Broodmare of the Year Hasili (Ire), by Kahyasi.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor
